AdminWorld of Words Kuala Lumpur (WoW-KL) 2026 will return on Aug 14 and 15, bringing authors, educators, students, writers and readers together for two days of literary discussions, creative activities and community engagement at Universiti Malaya.
Held at the Auditorium, Faculty of Education, the festival is built around the theme “READ. LEAD. HEAL.” and seeks to position reading as more than a personal or academic activity.
The organisers said the event aims to encourage deeper engagement with books and ideas while exploring how reading can contribute to critical thinking, empathy, creativity, leadership and stronger communities.
Admission to the two-day festival is free.
Reading as a catalyst for change
WoW-KL Founder Sajeet Soudagar said the initiative was created in response to growing concerns over shrinking attention spans and the way people consume information.
“Reading is no longer just about books,” he said, adding that reading could influence how people “grow, think and live”.
“We are living in a world where we have never had more access to information, yet we are reading less deeply and listening less carefully,” he said.
Soudagar said WoW-KL was intended to revive reading as a living culture that encourages conversations, connection and a more thoughtful society.
The 2026 programme will feature curated conversations involving authors, educators, cultural figures and thought leaders, alongside workshops for students, young adults, educators and emerging writers.
Competitions and creative writing platforms will also provide opportunities for young people to express themselves, while literary-inspired performances will bring stories and ideas to a wider audience.
Organisers said the festival is designed for a broad audience, including parents, professionals, schools, universities, community organisations and lifelong learners.
WoW-KL Awards recognise reading advocates
A key component of the programme will be the WoW-KL Awards 2026 on Aug 15, recognising individuals and organisations contributing to Malaysia’s literary and reading culture.
Award categories include Reading Culture Champion, Outstanding Reading Educator, Emerging Literary Talent, Community Bookshop of the Year, Outstanding Local Publisher, Outstanding Reading Community and Social Impact in Literature.
Other honours include the WoW-KL Reading Culture School Award, WoW-KL Luminary Award, Lifetime Contribution to Malaysian Literature and WoW-KL Visionary Award.
The awards involve nominations across the literary ecosystem, followed by review and shortlisting, with finalists put forward for public voting.
The initiative follows the inaugural awards in 2025, which recognised contributors including Prof Emeritus Muhammad Haji Salleh, Zuhairah Ali, Erica Eng, Jayati Roy, Ninot Aziz and Mohana Gill.
Founded in 2025, WoW-KL attracted more than 3,000 participants during its inaugural three-day edition.
The organisers said the 2026 festival is intended to strengthen that foundation while developing WoW-KL into a year-round movement involving schools, universities, workplaces and communities.
WoW-KL 2026 will take place from Aug 14 to 15 at the Auditorium, Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Admission is free.
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